Stop motion device



Nov. 6, 1934. w HUFORD H M 1,9 0,103

STOP MOTION DEVICE Filed Nov. 12, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet '1 FT-3T1. 74 Ma BY THEIR ATTORNEYS 1934- G. w. SHUFORD ET AL 1,980,103

STOP MOTION DEVICE Filed NOV. 12, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 moumn INVENTORS GALE w. SHUFORD BELER r7 CHILDRES K CHRISTIAN FRAN BY THEIR ATTORNEY? NOV. 6, G W, SHUFORD AL 1,980,103

STOP MOTION DEVICE Filed Nov. 12, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS GALE W. SHUFORD BELER F. CHILDRES FRANK CHRISTIAN BY THEIR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOP MOTION DEVICE Application November 12, 1932, Serial No. 642,424

20 Claims.

Our invention relates to circular knitting machines, and has particular reference to an im proved safety device which will effect stoppage of the machine in the event that the pattern chain and pattern drum are not properly synchronized.

An object of our invention is to provide a safety device which is under the direct control of the pattern chain and mechanism on the pattern drum shaft, and which will trip the stop motion of the machine in any and all cases where the pattern chain and pattern drum are not set to operate in their proper and necessary timed relation or synchronism, to thus prevent the breakage of the knitting needles and other parts of the machine.

.A further object of our invention is to provide a safety device of the above mentioned character which is prompt and positive in its action, and Which is simple in construction and operation, strong and durable, and highly eflicient in the purposes for which designed.

In order that the construction and operation of our improved safety device may be more readily understood, the invention will be shown and described in connection with the circular knitting machine forming the subject-matter of the patent to Robert W. Scott, No. 1,152,850 of Sept. 7,1915. In the accompanying drawings, we have included a showing of only so much of the said Scott machine as appears necessary for a proper disclosure and understanding of our present invent-ion. Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration we have shown several embodiments of our invention,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a revolving needle cylinder hosiery'machine of the type shown in the Scott Patent 1,152,850, and showing our improved safety device applied thereto,

Figure 2 is anend elevation of a modified form of belt shipper drum, including cams which assist in controlling the operation of the formlof our invention shown in Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mechanismshown in Fig. l and showing the stop motion in set position,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View on the line 55 of Fig. 1,

Figure-'6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modifiedform of release mechanism for the stop motion,

Figure lis a front elevation of a modified form of safetydevice, in which the operation is .controlled by the pattern chain and a cam on the pattern drum -driving gear,

.Figurev8 is a planview of the mechanism :shown in Fig. f7 :and showing the stop :motion .in set position,

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 7,and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of pattern chain link adapted for use the form of our invention shown in Fig. 7.

In the well known Scott and Williams type of revolving needle cylinder hosiery machine, the needle cylinder is driven from a main drive shaft 32, to which motion is communicated by a clutch collar 33 splined on the shaft and provided with tenons 331. The said clutch collar engages the needle cylinder reciprocating mechanism when a tenon 33 1'dovetails with the'left clutch pinion 35 and with the cylinder rotating mechanism when a tenon engages the face 37 of the right clutch pinion 38. Power is transmitted to the clutch pinions 35 and 33 in a manner which will now be described' 7 When the needle cylinder of the machine is to makeround and-round, i. e., rotary knitting, the clutch collar 33 is moved to the right so that its tenon 331 engages in a notch in the face '37 of the right clutch pinion 38. right clutch pinion 38 is unitary with a hollow sleeve on which the intermediate, slow speed driving pulley 42 is mounted. If it is desired to revolve the needle cylinder at a different rate of speed, the driving belt for the machine can be shifted to cooperate with the pulley '47, which is freely rotatable on the hollow sleeve carrying the pulley 42 andis connected by a train of gears, including the high speed driving pinion 49,'to the right clutch pinion 38.

The left clutch pinion is operated from a suitable segment driving gear and quadrant or sector gear in such a -manner that the oscillatory movements imparted "to the quadrant or sector gear are transmitted to the clutch pinion 735, all of this mechanism being fully set forthin detail in the above-mentioned Scott Patent 1,152,850. It is tobe notedthat'the speed of the right clutch pinion 38 is always the same relatively to the average speed of the left clutch pinion 35 .and that in a machine of this type theIgea-r ratios are such that'the right clutch pinion 38 will make four revolutions while the quadrant is completing one cycle of movement, i. e., one complete reciprocation. Assuming that the pulley 42 is used'to reciprocatethe needle cylinder, the power from this pulley is transmitted through the hollow sleeve onv which "the-right clutch pinion :38 is mounted, to the segment driving gear, pitman and quadrant, to the .left clutch pinion 35, where the clutch collar 33 transmits the re'ciprocatory motion to the maindrive shaft 32.

- The mechanism for shifting the clutch collar 33 from one clutch pinion to the other to change the :machine from rotary to reciprocating knit-- ting and vice versa, comprises a clutch fork 92, engaging withinaperipheral groove in the clutch collar 33, and slidably mounted on the machine by a fixed rod 93. There is a clutch cam drum 90 located beneath the clutch fork 92 and having a grooved cam path on its circumference, and the fork 92 is shifted from right to left by means of a stud 89 on the clutch fork lying in the cam path. This cam drum 90 isracked around under the control of the pattern chain by mechanism which will now be described.

Turning in unison with the clutch cam drum 90 is a main rack wheel 81 having teeth out on its circumference at irregular intervals. This main rack Wheel 81 and the clutch cam drum 90 are.

fixed to rotate together on the control and pattern drum drive shaft 80, which shaft has loosely mounted-thereon a sprocket wheel 84 carrying the pattern chain 85 and a chain rack wheel 86 fastenedto the sprocket wheel 84. As will be noted, the machine of the Scott Patent 1,152,850 20 moves in definite timed relation to the right clutch-pinion 38, it follows that the pattern chain 85 is always racked around at the same speed relatively to the driving pulley. Since the rotary or round-and-round movement of the needle cylinder of the machine is always obtained from the right clutch pinion 38 by the same train of gears, it follows that'the pattern chain 85 is always racked at the same speed relatively to the rotary of round-and-round movement of the needle cylinder. Further, the, to-and-fro movementof the needle cylinder, being obtained through the quadrant, alsobears a fixed timed relation to the racking of the pattern chain, although the relation is not the same as in the case of round-and-round knitting.

When the clutch collar 33 is in its right hand position in engagement with the clutch pinion 38, the said pinion and the needle cylinder revolve in unison, the pattern chain being racked forward once every four such revolutions of the needle cylinder. For everyfour revolutions of the right /clutch pinion 38, the, left clutch pinion 35 is turned once in each direction, each movement of this pinion in one direction therefore being equal to two complete revolutions of the needle cylinder during round-and-round knitting. When the clutch 33 is in its left hand position, the needle cylinder is reciprocating but the left clutch pinion 35 is still driven in the same mannerand there-, fore it will be observed that relatively to the pattern. chain 85, the circumferential speed of the needle cylinder is twice as great during roundand-round knitting as during reciprocating knitting.

. Relative to the means for controlling the timing of the ordinary shifting of the clutch from roundand-round to reciprocatory knitting and from reciprocatory back again to round-and-round knitting, the chain pawl in racking the pattern chain around brings the lugs on the links of the pattern chain under a pawl controller 83 mounted on the fixed rod 93. The pawl controller 83 projects forward at its. left. side in the plane of the sprocket wheel 84 and pattern chain 85 and is provided with an indicator or chain reading lug and with a finger grip formanual movement of the pawl controller. The central portion of the pawl controller extends as a sleeve surrounding the rod 93 to a point in line with the space between the ratchet81 and the drum 90 at which point an integral attachment of the pawl controller extends downwardly between the said ratchet and drum. This standard construction is fully set forth and described in the patent to Scott 1,152,850, an examination of which will show that the portion of. the pawl controller positioned between the ratchet 81 and drum 90 underlies a main pawl which is carried by the quadrant and is adapted to engage the teeth of the main rack wheel 81. The pawl controller 83 is so positioned as to hold the main pawl out of engagement with the main rack wheel 81 except when the controller is tripped by a lug or lugs on the pattern chain 85, thus making it possible to cause the main rack wheel 81 to be turned whenever a lug on the pat tern chain 85 comes under the pawl controller cam; 83. In other words, the pattern chain 85 controls the pawl controller83 to determine the times at which thedriving pawl may engage the rack wheel 81 and advance thecontrol andpattern drum driving shaft 80. As is the usual practice, the pattern chain 85 carries a series of pattern lugs of different heights and dimensions, these lugs projecting from the right hand face of the open chain links, as viewed inFig. 1. Hence, the movements of the shaft are intermittent movements through a variable angle of advance, and the lugs on the pattern chain '85 which move beneath the .pawl controller 83, cause rocking movements of said pawl controller on rod 93 to determine the exact time and the extentto which the driving pawl may engage the rack wheel 81.

The right-hand end of the rod 93, as viewed in Fig. 1, is extended beneath the pulleys 42 and 47 and forms a bearing for a belt shipper. Directly beneath the said belt. shipper and mounted on the shaft 80 to rotate therewith is a belt shipperv cam 102, provided with integral portions l04and 105 terminating in slopes to the level of the body of the cam 102, to move the belt shipper and shift the belt from oneto the other of the pulleys 42 and 47. The said cam 102 is also provided with a portion (not shown) for moving the belt shipper to an extreme outwardposition to take the belt on to the loose pulley 43 to stop the machine. The left hand end of the shaft 80 extends through its bearing in the left end frame of the machine and has keyed thereto a gear 122 for driving the pattern drum ofth'e machine.

All of the above described construction is adequately disclosed in the Scott Patent 1,152,850, forms no part of our present invention, and is well known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. Hence, a further detailed description of the construction and operation of the machine of the Scott Patent 1,152,850, appears unnecessary for the purpose of the present specification. Suffice it to say that in machines of this general type, the operation of the various agencies of the machine is entirely automatic and under the control of the cam or pattern shaft 80, which carries the cam drum 90 for determining the change in the motion of the knitting head from rotary to oscillatory movement, and the cam 102 for predetermining the speed, and also the stoppage at the end of the cycle of operations of the machine. All the other operations of the machine are under the control of the pattern drum driven from the shaft 80 through gear 122 and its associated gear train. These mechanisms function to' control the performance of the neoessarily great number of changes and shifts ofv the memos under th'edire ct control-oi these mechanisms, may be mentioned the shitting of the clutch '33 to e'fiect a rotation or oscillation of the needle cy1- inder, the operation of the needles and sinkers, the speed changing device, the yarn introducing and changing-device, the'means for stripping the finished -'or knitted work frorn th'e :needlea'e'tc.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art of knitting, it is absolutely essential to the satisfactory and oilicient operation of machines of this type that the various opera'tions of the machine occur in-a definite and accurately timed sequence, for it is only when the machine :is properly timed that-a satisfactory product can oe obtained without the likelihood of serious damage to the machine. -For example,iit is absolutely essential that the patterndrum be brought :to the proper position at the beginning of the knitting operation and that the pattern chain :be brought to the proper synchronous position. if the machine is started with these two important ele ments ont of :synchronism, it will resultin the breaking of :the needles and other parts of the machine. Further, the knitting of the heel and toe is :an important :operation which .must be carried out with the greatesti'accura'cy .in the timing of the machine, :and if the pattern drum and pattern \chain are not properly synchronized, serious damage to the needles and associated parts will .result. When :knitting the heel (and toe, -the clutch 33 is shifted, by means of the mechanism above described, to engage the :left clutch pinion 35 to :cause the machine to change from rotation to oscillation, at which operation half of the needles are moved .out of action, the yarn changing fingers are operated and the pickers.start to lift the remaining needles out of action one .by one. When the :heel .or toe .is half knit, the lowering spickers are actuated and, upon the completion of the knitting of the .heel and toe, the clutch is again shifted, all the pickers are rendered inactive, all needles are "brought into action and the .yarn fingers are again operated. These various operations are accom-' plished by means of :lugs 'on .the pattern chain,

and it is essential that the lugs be properly positioned and spaced and that the :chain snoves a given number of links during'the period :of ioscillation of the needle cylinder, in order that the shifts of the pattern drum :be made when the needles and associated elements are proper position to carry out the several knitting operations.

To this end, we associate with a knitting machine of the type above described, a safety device for positively stopping the machine in any and all cases where the pattern chain is out of time with the main pattern drum, :to thus prevent the damage to the needles and other parts of the machine which would'result by reason of this lack of .synchrom'sm. In one form of our invention which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, we associate with the conventional stop motion usually provided on machines of this type, an actuating mechani'sm under the control of the pattern chain '85 and verifying cams placed on the :belt shipper drum 102, the construction being such that the mechanism will trip the stop motion in the event that the pattern chain and pattern drum are not properly synchronized. To this end, we provide a lever 200, one end of which is pivotally connected to the end frame 201 at a point above the main drive shaft 3-2, and the opposite or free end of which extends to a position above the clutch -'face 3 7. The free end of the lever 200 is bifurcated, the lower branch *or arm 202 being bent rear-wardly to directly overlie a cam 203 mounted on -the clutch face 37-, and the :upper branch or arm 204 being provided with a hole 205 near the outer end thereof. The pawl controller '83 is provided with a plate or extension 206, to which is pivotally connected the lower end of a .rod ZN which extends from the plate 2061upwardly through :the hole 205 in the lever 200. An adjustable collar 208 is mounted on the upper :end of the rod 207 immediately beneath the lever 200 and tunctions to hold the lever 200 in its uppermost :position -with the branch :or arrn202 out of contact with the cam 203. lAseoond rod 209 is :pivotally connected to.

the lever 200 .and extends downwardly through a bracket 210 secured on the side of the end frame 201 and terminates immediately above the belt shipper drum 102, the periphery of the said belt shipper :drum being provided with a series of spaced cams 211 for :a purpose to :be herein after described. -A third rod 212 is 'pivotally-connested at its flower end to the :lever 200 and extends upwardly through "an opening 213 in the table of the machine, the upper end of said rod being reduced to form a shoulder 21.4. A coil spring 215 has one of its ends connected to the rod .212 and its opposite end connected \to the end frame 201, this spring normally tending to move the rod 212 toward the right as viewed in Figs. :1 and l.

An :L,-shap.ed bracket216 is secured 'on the top of the table of the machine adjacent the opening 2-13 .and supports thereon a :pivotally 'mounted lever 2137,, the upper end-of which is connected by a link 21 8 to the trip 'lever2 l9 aof astop motion of any desired @or preferred construction. This stop motion imay comprises stop finger 220 pivoted beneath the table of :the machine and adapted :to be thrown into engagement with a stop ring on the inner vface of the pulley 4'7. The stop :finger .220 iszcontrolled :by an actuating lever .221 on top of the table-of the machine, this lever being urged :in a counter-clockwise direction "by means of a 'coil spring 222. :Ilhe trip lever 219 is provided with a shoulder 223 which, when the stop motion :is set, engages the outer or free end of the actuating lever 221 to :maintain the stop finger 220 out of contact with the :stop ring on the inner face of the pulley 4'7. It will be obvious that when the trip lever .219 is moved in 'a counter-clockwise direction about its pivotal mounting, the shoulder 223 will free the end of the actuating lever .221 and the spring 222 will j move the said actuating lever in a counterclockwise direction to throw the stop finger 220 into engagement with the .stop ring on the inner face of the pulley 47 to :stop the machine. Ihe

trip lever 219 may also be connected by :a rod 1 drum and pattern chain are in proper synchrd nismnt 'a point in the operation of the machine at which the device is designated to operate and the pawl controller B3 is elevated by reason of the contact between its chain reading'lug and a lug on the pattern chain, the lower end of the rod 209 is immediately above a space between the cams 211 on the belt shipper drum 102 but does not drop into such space since the rod 207 is raised and the adjustment ofthe collar 208 is such that thelever 200 will be held in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 1. When the main pawl of the machine actuates the rack wheel 81 to rotate the shaft 80, one of the cams 211 will ride beneath the endof the'rod 209 and will support the said rod and the lever 200 in their uppermost position so as to maintain the branch or arm 202 out 'of contact with the cam 203 on the rotary clutch face 37 and prevent rod .212 engaging lever 217 whenv the lugof the pattern chain has passedfrom beneath the pawl controller 83. Thus the cams 211 verify the timing of the pattern chain and insure the proper synchronism between the pattern chain, pattern drum and associated parts; If the pattern drum and pattern chain are not properly synchronized, the reading lug of the pawl controller 83 will not maintain the rod 207 and the connected lever 20% in their uppermost positions during the period in the cycle of operations where the end'of the rod 209 is above a space between the cams211 on the belt shipper drum 102, and, neither rod 207 nor hence, the collar 208 and rod 209 supports the lever 200 and the said lever will move 217. The branch or arm 202' of the lever 200 will thus be moved to a position in the path of the cam 203 on the continuously rotating clutch member 37, which cam will contact with said branch or arm to elevate the lever 200 and rod 212 to move the lever 217, this movement of the lever 217 being transmitted through the link 218 to the trip lever 219 of the stop mechanism, and, hence, the machine will be broughtto a stop whenever the proper timed relation and/or sequence is not maintained between the lugs on the pattern chain and the verifying cams on the belt shipper drum. J

In this construction the arrangement is such "that where the pattern chain and pattern drum are out of synchronism and the racking by the main racking pawl is such that the pattern drum ,position of the drum, the cams 211 will not be positioned to support the rod 209 when the lugs on the pattern chain pass from beneath the reading lug on the pawl controller and permit the pawl controller and rod 207 to drop with the pattern drum in anabnormal position. Lowering of the pawl controller will, under these conditions, cause the machine to be stopped as previously explained. 1

In the formof our invention shown in Fig. 6, we have modified the construction previously described and have'provided a device which eliminates the cam 203 and'the notched rod 212. In this embodiment of our invention, a lever '226 is pivotallyconnected to the right side frame 201 of the machine and has its outer, free end, provided with a hole 227, through which is passed the upper end of the rod 207, provided with an adjustable collar 208. A second rod 209 is also connected to the lever 226 at a point in termediate the ends thereof, it beingunderstood that the rods 207 and 209 are controlled, re-

spectively, by the pawl controller 83 and the.

verifying cams 211, and that these rodsoperate in the same manner as the rods 207 and 209 referred to in the description of the form of our invention shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. A spring 228 extends between the lever 226 and a stationary part of the machine and tends to move the said lever downwardly. A third rod 229 extends from the lever 226 through an opening in the table of the machine and is provided with a hooked upper end 230 adapted to engage a lug or extension 231 provided on the lower end of a lever 232 pivotally mounted on an L-shaped bracket 233, this lever 232 being connected by a link 234 to the trip lever 219 of the stop motion. When the pattern chain lugs and the verifying cams are properly synchronized, the rod 207 or the-rod 209 functions to maintain the lever 226 in its uppermost position with the hooked end 230 of the rod 229 out of engagement with the lug 231 on the lever 232, but when the pattern chain lugs and verifying cams are not properly synchronized and the rods 207 and 209 no longer support the lever 226, the spring 228 exertspa;

direct pull on the said lever, moving the same downwardly to cause the hooked end 230 to engage the lug 231 to move'the lever 232. about its pivotal mounting, this movement ofthe lever 232 being transmitted through the link 234 to the trip lever 219 of the stop motion.

In the embodiment of our invention shown in Figs. 7 to 10 of the accompanying drawings, a three-armed lever 235 is pivotally mounted on a stud v23b secured in the left side frame 201 of the machine above the shaft, this lever having a central sleeve-like portion surrounding said stud. An arm 237 extends upwardly from the rear end of the central sleeve-like portion of the lever 235 and terminates in a plane closelyadjacent the periphery of the sprocket wheel 84 which car ries the pattern chain 85. A second arm 238 is provided at the rear end of the central sleevelike portion of the lever 235, and extends toward the right side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 7, the outer end of this lever being apertured. A third arm 239 is provided'ad'jacent the forward end of the central portion of the lever 235 and terminates immediately adjacent a verifying cam or notched member 240 formed integrally with or mounted on the side of the gear 122 which drives the pattern drum of-the machine. 'A relatively strong spring 241 has one of its ends connected to the arm 238 and its opposite end secured to a stationary part of the machine be'- "low the shaft 80, this spring tending to move the lever 235 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. A rod or link 242 has its lower end inserted through the aperture in the end of the arm 238, and has mounted thereon an adjustable collar 243, this collar underlying the outer end of the same arm 238. The rod or link 242 extends upwardly to a position above the table of the machine where it is connected to one arm of If desired, the lever 244 sesame showing. of. Figs; 7; to) 10'. of. the accompanying.

drawings, is. dependent upon movements of. the

three-armed: lever 235.. .Suchmovements. are cf.- fected by means of lugs: or projections onrlinks of. the: pattern. chain, the detailed construction of: one modification of such links: being adequately shown in Fig. 10:, from whichit will be noted that the link: 2427- isprovided with a lugor carn- 248 which extends to: the left side. of the pattern chain; 85- as. vievvedin Fig.1.. The shape and size: of; the: lugs 248 are such. that when one of the lugs contacts with the: lever arm 237. it. will hold the;

lever 235- from rotating, i. e; it will prevent the endofthe-arm 239 froma entering. a. notch formed in the verifying cam member. 240'- on the pattern drum driving gear: 122.. It. will, of course, be understood that the lugs- 248 are-incorporatedin the pattern chain 85. in a predetermined and definite relation: and sequence with respect to the rack wheel operating lugs of the said. pattern chain 85, and further,v that the notches in the verifying cam member. 240- are so positioned that so long as. the pattern chainand pattern drumare in.

proper timed relation anotch in the verifying cam member 240 will pass the end ofthe arm 239- only when: the arm- 23-7: is engaged by a lug- 2.48 on the. pattern chain and the arm 239 will be heldagainst entering the-notch in the cam memher 240 and: the operation ofthe stop mechanismpre-vented. Any departure from this essential synchronized relationship will result in the immediate stoppage oii themachine in a manner now to be described.

Assuming: that. the pattern chain and pattern. .I drum are properly synchronized and that the machine. is ready to take-the press off rack, a lugon the right side of the press oif link in the-pattern chain: moves under thepawl controller 83 and at the-same time alug 248- on one of the links 24-7 .of. the chain engages the end: of the arm 237. At

this instant. anotchin. the verifying cam member 240 is ready topass the end of the arm 239 on thenext movement of the main rack wheel and the shaft. 80, but. the: arm 239 cannot enter the said notch on the movement ofthe shaftasthe end of the arm 2-37 isin engagement with the lug 248- and hence-,t-he lever 235 does not move about its; pivotal mounting and the stop-motion of themachineis not actuated. After the shaft 80 isracked and the notch has been moved past the end of the arm 2-39 the lug 248 is moved out of contact with the arm 23'? upon the next racking of the: pattern chain, but the end of arm 239 is now supported on the plane or raised surface of the? cammed member 2.40, and hence, the lever 235. does not move about its pivotal mounting tostop-the-machine. Obviously, if the press off rack.

is taken when the chain is out of time with the patterndrum, there will be no lug 248'to support the end-of thearm 23-7 as a notch in the member 240 passes the end of the lever 239'and the spring 241 will move the lever 235 in a. clockwise direc tion about its pivotal. mounting as the notch:

passes the end of the arm 239 and the arm 238 will move the: rod 242. downwardly, thus rocking the L-shaped lever 244 about its pivotal mounting and through link' 245 actuating the triprlever 2-13: to effect the immediate stoppage of thema-- chine. In thisform of our invention the device operates immediately upon the racking of themain drum and the rotation of the shaft. 80 and the machine does not operate until the lug on the right. side on the pattern'chain isracked from beneaththe pawl controller asin Figs; 1 to 5.

lnwtheabove specification We have chosen todescribe: our: invention. in. connection with the: circular knitting machine forming the subject:- matter 016 the patent to. Robert Scott, No. 1,152,85'0101 September- 'Z,.1.9-l'5.,ib.ut it isto: be un-- dBlIStOQdi that our: inventioniiss not. limited: to this; particular machine. and. that. the: same: may he: applied. to other; types of circular knitting: mar chines' wherein theoperation oi the: machine is; under the: controlxof a pattern chain, patterndrumz or. the like: and that the: device-may be: arranged to stop the: machine if out. of time: at other points; than; those designated. It. is to he: furtherrunder stood" that the: norms; of. our invention hereim shownand. described are to: be. taken as preferred, embodiments of. the same and that various: changes) may be madeirr the shape,. size and ar rangement of. parts; without. departing from; the; spirit. ofi our invention: or: the scope. ofthe suit joined claims.

We: claim: r. 1

1. In a. circular-knitting machine: including a stop motiorr. a pattern chain: foreffiecting? rotation. of a. control: shaft driving the pattern drums and other machine control mechanisms, and ai pawl controller; actuated; by the pattern chain, thecombination. of a safety device: comprising". a: lever" for antua'tingfv the stop motion,. verifying cams on. the; control shaftandmeans extending between the: lever: and: paiwla controller" andx'be tween the leverand; verifying cams to actuate: the lever and stop motion: when the patternchain and verifying. cams. are. not. properly. synchronized.

2; In a. circular krntting machine: including. a-v stopmotion, a.- pattern. chain. for: effecting. rota:- tion of a control shaft. driving the pattern drum: and other machine control mechanisms; and: a pawl controller actuated hy'the. pattern chain, the combination. of? a. safety. device comprising; a 1e-- ver connected; to. the: stop-motion, a: second lever: pivotally mounted; on. the machine, verifying cams onthe control; shaft, rods associated with. the second leversand controlled by the: pawP-controller' and verifying cams to progressively: sup.- port said lever in its uppermost position--when thepattern and pattern drumz are properlysynchroni'zed, a connection between said first and second levers; and means for actuating the levers and stop motion to stop the machine-when the pattern chain. and verifying cams are not properly synchronized.

3. In a circular knitting. machine including. a. stop motion,.a pattern. chain for effecting rotation' of a control shaft driving the: pattern belt shipper drum, and. other machine control mechanisms. and: a: pawlcontroller actuated bythe pattern chain; the combination: of a safety device: comprisihga. lever' connected; to the stop motion, a secon'd lever pivotally mounted. on themachine, verifying cams-carried bythe beltshipper' drum, a rodconnected to thepawli controller and with the second l'ever to-support said lever in its. uppermost position when the pawlcon troller is raised bythe pattern chain, a rod connected to the second lever and contacting with the verifying cams' on thebelt shipper drum to support said lever-in its' uppermost position whenthe rod is supported on a high portion oftheverifyi'ng cam, a connection between said first and second levers, and means to actuate said first lever and stop motion when said second lever is not supported by the pawl controller or high portions of the verifyingcams andthe pattern 150 .fying. cams for progressively supportingrthensecie.

chain and verifying cams are not properly syn chronized.

4. In a circular knitting machine including a stop motion, a pattern chain for effecting rotation of a control shaft driving the pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms, the combination of a safety device comprising a lever pivotally mounted on the machine having its upper end connected to the stop motion and having a lug at its lower end, a second lever pivotally: mounted on the machine below the first deten' verifying cams carried .by the. contmlifishaftli meansfcontrolled by the pattern chainmn'd teri't-i ond lever in its uppermost positiomwhuntiixpatr tern chain and verifying cams are-zproper lygsynb chronized, a rod having its lower-tend homrcctedr to the second lever and. its upper ceindofoiimedzte: engage the lug on the first lever, amirmeansefor. actuating the second lever and its associated rod to cause the said rod-to engage thev lug on the first lever to actuate .the stop motion when the pattern chain and verifying. cams are not'properly synchronized. I

5. In a circular knitting machine'including a stop motion, a pattern chain 'for effecting rotation of a control shaft/driving the pattern drum and other control mechanism, and a pawl controller actuated by said pattern chain, the com+ bination of .a safety device. comprising alever pivotally mounted on themachine and connected to the. stop. motion, a second lever pivotally mounted on the machine below the first lever having'an aperture through its outer end, .a rod connected to the pawl controller and having its upper end passed through the aperture in the end of the second lever, a collarmountedon the rod beneath the second lever and adjusted to support the lever in its uppermost positionwhen the pawl controller is raised by the pattern chain, verifying cams onthe control .shaft, a rod connected to the second lever and operated .bythe verifying cams to support the second lever in its uppermost position when the pattern chain has lowered the pawl controller and the pattern chain and verifying cams are properly synchronized, a connection between the levers, and means to operate the levers and stop motion to stop the machine when the second lever is not supported by the rods and the pattern chain and verifying camsare not properly synchronized.

6. In a circular knitting machine including a stop motion, a pattern chain for effecting rotation of a control shaft driving the pattern drum and other control mechanisms, the combination of-a safety device comprising a lever connected to the stop motion, a second lever pivotally mounted on the machine, verifying cams carried by the control shaft, means controlled by the pattern chain and verifying cams for progressively supporting the second lever in its uppermost position when the pattern chain and verifying cams are properly synchronized,a connection between the first and second levers, and a cam carried by a rotating part of thernac'hine' to actuate the levers and stop motion to stop the machine when the second lever is not supported in its uppermost position and the pattern chain and verifying cams are notproperly synchronized.

'2. In a circular knitting machine including a stop motion, a pattern'chain for effecting rotation of a control shaft driving the pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms. the combinargesotuog connected. to the stop motion and having. a lug at its lower end, a second lever pivotally mounted on the machine below the-first lever, verifying cams carried by the control shaft, means con-.

trolled by the pattern chain'and verifying cams for progressively supporting the second lever in its uppermost position when the pattern chain and verifying cams are properly synchronized, a rod having its lower end connected to the sec-' ond lever and its upper end having a shoulder adapted to engage beneath the'lug on the first lever, means to move the shoulder into engage-v ment with the lug on the first lever'when the second lever and its associated rod are not supported by either the pattern chain orverifying cams, and a cam carried bya rotating partof the machine to raise the second lever and rod to actuate the stop motion to stop the machine when pivotally mounted on the machine having -,its upper end connected to the stop motion and having a lug at its lower end, a second lever pivotally mounted on the machine below the first lever, verifying cams carried by the control shaft, means controlled by the pattern chain and verifying cams for progressively supporting the second lever in its uppermost position when the pattern chain and. verifying cams are properly synchronized, a rod having its lower end connected to the second lever and its upper end hooked to overlie the lug on the first lever, and means to move the.

second lever and the rod carried thereby to engage the hooked end ofthe rod with the lug on the first lever to actuate the stop motion to stop themachine when the pattern chain and verifying cams are notproperly synchronized.

9. In a circular knitting machine including a stop motion, a pattern chain for effecting rotation .of a control shaft driving the pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms, the combination of a safety device comprising a lever pivotally mounted on the machine having its upper end connected to the stop motion and having a lug at its lower end, a second lever pivotally mounted on the machine below the first lever, verifying cams carried by the control shaft, means controlled by the pattern chain and verifying cams for progressively supporting the second lever in its uppermost position when the pattern chain and verifying cams are properlysyn chronized, a rod having its lower end connected to the second lever and its upper end hooked to overlie the lug on the first lever, and a spring con-' nected to the second lever to move said lever and the rod carried thereby downwardly to engage the hookedend of the rod with the lug on the first lever to move said' lever to actuate the stop motion when the pattern chain ,and verifying cams are not properly synchronized.

10. In a circular knitting machine'including.

a stop motion, a pattern chain for effecting rotation of a control shaft driving the pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms, the combination of a safety device comprising alever pivotally mounted on the machine adjacent the the stop motion, a second arm of said lever contacting with the lugs of the pattern chain, a third arm of said lever contacting with the verifying cams on the control shaft, the arrangement being such that the lever is progressively maintained in its normal position by either the lugs or the verifying cams, and means for moving the lever to actuate the stop motion when the pattern chain and verifying cams are not properly synchronized.

11. In a circular knitting machine including a stop motion, a pattern chain for effecting rotation of a control shaft driving the pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms, the com bination of a safety device comprising a threearmed lever pivotally mounted on the machine adjacent the pattern chain, lugs carried by special links of the pattern chain, verifying cams on the control shaft, a rod connecting one arm of said lever to the stop motion, a second arm of said lever contacting with the lugs of the pattern chain, a third arm of said lever contacting with the verifying cams on the control shaft, the arrangement being such that the lever is progressively maintained in its normal position by either the lugs or the verifying cams, and a spring connected to one of said arms to move the lever to actuate the stop motion when the pattern chain and verifying cams are not properly synchronized.

12. In a circular knitting machine including a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pattern drum, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain, means for stopping said machine and means operated directly by said pawl controller to control the operation of said machine stopping means.

13. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain, a rod operated by said pawl controller, a lever engaged by said rod and held in raised position by said rod when said pawl controller is raised, a second rod engaging said lever, means engaging said second rod and holding said lever raised upon lowering of said pawl controller when said pattern drum and pattern chain are in synchronism, machine stopping mechanism, means operatively connecting said machine stopping mechanism and said lever upon the lowering of said lever and means operating said lever to operate said machine stopping mechanism upon lowering said pawl controller when said pattern drum and pattern chain are out of synchronism.

14:. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pattern drum and other machine control mechanisms, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain, machine stopping means, a rod operated by said pawl controller,

a lever engaged by said rod and held in raised,

position by said rod when said pawl controller is raised, a second rod engaging said lever and operative to hold said lever raised upon lowering of said pawl controller when said pattern drum and pattern chain are in synchronism, means for operatively connecting said lever and said machine stopping mechanism and means to operate said lever to operate said machine stopping mechanism upon lowering of said pawl controller when said pattern chain and pattern drum are not in time.

15. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain, a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain, a pattern drum and a pawl positioned by said pawl controller to control operation of said pattern drum in combination with machine stopping means operated by said pawl controller to shift said pawl to stop operation of said pattern drum when said pattern drum and pattern chain are out of synchronism.

16. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pawl 0perated rack wheel moving patterning mechanism, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain to shift the rack wheel operating pawl in and out of position to operate the rack wheel, machine stopping means and means operated by said pawl controller to effect operation of said machine stopping means upon movement of said pawl controller to a position holding the pawl out of rack wheel operating position.

17. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pawl operated rack wheel moving patterning mechanism, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain to shift the rack wheel operating pawl in and out of position to operate the rack wheel, machine stopping means, means operated by said pawl controller to eifect operation of said machine stopping means upon movement of said pawl controller to a position holding the pawl out of rack wheel operating position when said patterning mechanism and pattern chain are out of synchronism.

18. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pawl operated rack wheel moving patterning mechanism, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain to shift the rack wheel operating pawl in and out of position to operate the rack wheel, machine stopping means, means operated by said pawl controller to effect operation of said machine stopping means upon movement of said pawl controller to a position holding the pawl out of rack wheel operating position when said patterning mechanism and pattern chain are out of synchronism and means holding said machine stopping means inoperative when said patterning mechanism and pattern chain are in synchronism.

19. In acircularknitting machine havinga pattern chain for effecting operation of a pawl operated rack wheel moving a pattern drum, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain to shift the rack wheel operating pawl in and out of position to engage with the rack wheel, machine stopping means and means operated by said pawl controller to control the operation of said machine stopping means.

20. In a circular knitting machine having a pattern chain for effecting operation of a pawl operated rack wheel moving a pattern drum, the combination of a pawl controller operated by said pattern chain to shift the rack wheel operating pawl in and out of position to engage with the rack wheel, machine stopping means and means operated by said pawl controller simultaneously with the pawl to control the operation of said machine stopping means. i

GALE W. SI-IUFORD. BELER F. CHILDRES. FRANK CHRISTIAN. 

